Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-05-14

Calista led her sister to the resident medi-
cal officers room, where they found, be-
sides Hugh, o lady whom Norah recognized
at once as Hugh's mother-Mme. Aquila,
the singer. She was in black silb, that kind
OF lifelong mourning which some widows
adopt Her face was kindly and soft, still
beautiful, though her youth had long since
vanished.
my DEAR" she said, taking Norah by
both hands, SO that she could draw her close
and kiss her comfortably-'my dear child,
I have heard all You have greatly suf-
fered. But all Is over now. Your sister
has made the rough way smooth, and re-
moved the last obstacle. Sec what it is to
be a sister in the hospital; how helpful 1t
makes one! And now you will take my
Hugh again, will you mott He Is worth
taking, my dear"
oh" said Norah. her eyes running over,
Hugh knows that first"
Hugh knows exactly what you intend.
Not yet, then. We will wait a little"
They had not long to wait, for steps were
heard in the corridor. and the doctor en-
tered, accompanied by Mr.. Murridge.
"Wen, Calista," said the former, II am
here in reply to your letter. What have
you got to tell mey"
First, here is Mma Aquila, Hugh's
mother: Next, you will have to keep per-
fectly quiet, and not interrupt for five min
utes. And then I have got q surprise for
you. Such q surprised"
mot another coronet, I hopper
"And I am here, Calista," said Mr.. MUIR
ridge. "Ihave brought with me a certain
document in obedience to your request.
What NEXT My son has left tho country, l
understand. What nextr
First, Mr.. Murridge, will you withdraw
that document, and own to Norah that you
have proved it to be false and treacherous
from beginning to end, and then tear it up
in our presence"
.nsse were brave words. Mr.. Murridge
heard them with some surprise.
~ a only to repeat what I said before.
l withdraw nothing, and l acknowledge
nothing. until my son has had a chance Of
explanation. l admit have never tried
to deny-that the case against him is very
black. But l will not condo mn my own son
unheard. The paper shall lie in the safe;
the subject shall never be mentioned Norah
can come back as soon as she pleases. But
II my son ever returns again-he has gone
without a word-he shall have an oppor-
tunity Of giving any explanation he pleases."
"Norah can never 60 back to you until
that document is destroyed, and its contents
acknowledged to be false. More than that,
she can never renew her broken engagement
until you yourself acknowledge that its
falsehood has boon proved
II mi help her, then" said Mr.. Muir
ridge, coldly.
81 wonder il l might ask what is tho
meaning Of all thisi' asked the doctor. II
was promised a surprise, and it begins with
a mystery"
Presently said Calista; presently. per-
haps. In the meantime, sit down and say
nothing. have got something to show to
Mr.. Murridge, and then y GU shall nave your
surprise
perhaps you havo another so called
proof" Mr.. Murridge went on. II warn you
that not~hing-nothing but my sons voice
can convince me-"
Yet you are morally certaini' said Hugh.
ut is not a question of my opinion, but Of
your additional facts If OH have any, and
let me CO."
you shall have his own words. then"
Calista produced her letter. Listen to this f"
She read aloud tho letter which she had
got from Dick.
Norah breathed a deep sigh.
why" began thu doctor. about to ask
how any one in the world could be such an
idiot as to suppose that his daughter Norah
could 10 wrongly connected with checks. but
he was perernptorily ordered by Calista to
preserve silence.
Here Is the letter, Mr.. Murridge. Look
at it. You know your sons handwriting.
He gave me that letter yesterday afternoon
at tho place where he was lodging"
"At what timer
"At six in the afternoon
II must nav missed him, y said Mr.. Muir
ridge, by an hour"
care you satisfied nowt' asked Calista.
"Do you hear his voice in this letter.
Mr.. Murridge read tho letter again, as il
considering every word, whether it was gen
uine or not, and whether the signature was
really his sons.
1.-THE writing Is my sons" he said, return :
ing the letter. what do you wish me to
sayr,
have to say"
He still h~esitated. Then he drew a paper
from bis pocketbook, unfolded it, and handed
it to Norah.
at concerns you, Norah," he said. LET
me place in your hands the string of FALSE
cannot offer any excuses. have no apollo
not wish me to tell you what / think Of him.
bad but one SON." he added, sorrowfully
a for that b9Sy's fstherTE"
Hugh. tear-burn-destroy this horrible
paper! Let us never mention 1t again. LIST
US all agree to forget 1t. Hugh, tear 1t into
q thousand f~ragmentsl'
Hugh placed it in the CRATE, and applied a
Lighted match to it. In q few seconds Dicks
masterpiece was in ashes.
III have one thin1 tn saw NOrah.n added
Mr.. Murrtdge. 'On that day when the facts
we're made clear to ME, and the witnesses
one after the other-the gambling man, and
your brother, and the boy-showed That
would not admit the truth because there
vas the chance, the slender chance, that my
son might have had something to explain
some kind Of excuse. l even tried to per-
suade myself that there might be a con
spiracy against him."
"He was your son." said Calista; ''poor
Dick!n
cat all events" said Hugh. ''you might
have trusted some one"
Young gentleman, ! trusted-my own
he repeated; Il who have spent my life in
calling those people fools who trust any one.
Norah, will you come back to meT'
Norah locked at Hugh.
"So, SIR the resident medical replied,
taking her hand; ''Norah shall not work for
you or for any one else any more. 1t will be
my happiness to work for her,"
SIN that case" said Mr.. Murridge. land as
I have no longer a clerk, and time is money
at least my time-I will go. Good-by,
Norah!" She gave him her hand. II am
sorry, my lear. You were a very good
clerk to me. worth three times-nay, six
times what I gave you. Well, l wish you"
he hesitated and laughed incredulously-'I
wish you what they call happiness in love
and marriage. / do not quite understand
what they mean by happiness. but l think it
chiefly means making believe and pretend